Seco-mevinic acid derivatives useful as antihypercholesterolemic agents and new intermediates

ABSTRACT

Seco-mevinic acid derivatives are provided which have the structure ##STR1## including all stereoisomers thereof, wherein Z is ##STR2## R is H, alkali metal or lower alkyl, R 1  is H, lower alkyl, aryl, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or heterocyclic; R 2  is lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, and X is O or NR 5  wherein R 5  is H or lower alkyl, and are HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and thus are useful as antihypercholesterolemic agents and in treating atherosclerosis. 
     New intermediates for preparing the above seco-mevinic acid derivatives are also provided.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 413,656, filed Sep. 28, 1989now U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to secomevinic acid derivatives which areHMG CoA reductase inhibitors and thus are useful asantihypercholesterolemic agents and to new intermediates employed inpreparing such compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

F. M. Singer et al., "New Inhibitors of in vitro Conversion of Acetateand Mevalonate to Cholesterol", Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. Med., 102, 370(1959) and F. H. Hulcher, "Inhibition of Hepatic CholesterolBiosynthesis by 3,5-Dihydroxy-3,4,4,-trimethylvaleric Acid and its Siteof Action," Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 146, 422 (1971) disclose thatcertain mevalonate derivatives inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol.

Singer et al. reported that fluoromevalonic acid is more effective ininhibiting biosynthesis of cholesterol (as measured by in vitroconversion of labeled acetate and labeled mevalonate into cholesterol)than Δ4-androstene-17α-ol-3-one-17β-oic acid and Δ1-testololactone.

Hulcher reported that an analog of mevalonic acid, namely,3,5-dihydroxy-3,4,4-trimethylvaleric acid strongly inhibits cholesterolbiosynthesis by rat liver homogenates.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,140 to Endo et al. discloses the fermentationproduct ML-236B referred to generically as compactin ##STR3## (alsoreferred to as mevastatin) which is prepared by cultivation of amicroorganism of the genus Penicillium. This fermentation process isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,495 issued Sep. 20, 1977 to Endo et al.

Brown, A. G., et al., (Beecham Pharmaceuticals Research Div.), "Crystaland Molecular Structure of Compactin, a New Antifungal Metabolite fromPenicillium Brevicompactum", J. Chem. Soc. Perkin I. 1165-1170 (1976)confirms that compactin has a complex mevalonolactone structure asdisclosed by Endo et al. in the above patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,938 to Monaghan et al. discloses mevinolin(lovastatin, Monacolin K) ##STR4## (also referred to as MK-803) which isprepared by culturing a microorganism of the genus Aspergillus.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,227 to Terahara et al discloses pravastatin ##STR5##

Pravastatin is prepared by the enzymatic hydroxylation of compactin orits carboxylic acid as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,629 to Teraharaet al.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,979 issued May 15, 1984 to Terahara et al disclosesthe lactone of pravastatin.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,784 and 4,450,171 to Hoffman et al disclose variousantihypercholesterolemic compounds including synvinolin (simvastatin)##STR6## as well as compounds of the structures ##STR7## wherein R¹ is Hor CH₃, R can be an alkyl group including ##STR8## X, Y and Z are singleand/or double bonds in all possible combinations.

European Patent Application 0065835A1 filed by Sankyo disclosescholesterol biosynthesis inhibiting compounds of the structure ##STR9##and their corresponding free carboxylic acids, which may be representedby the following formula ##STR10## (in which one of R¹ and R² representsa hydrogen atom and the other represents a hydroxy group), and salts andesters of the carboxylic acids.

European Patent Application 0142146A2 filed by Merck disclosesmevinolin-like compounds of the structure ##STR11## wherein R¹ is

1) hydrogen,

2) C₁₋₄ alkyl

3) 2,3-dihydroxypropyl,

4) alkali metal cation, such as Na⁺, or K⁺, or

5) ammonium of formula NR³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ wherein R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ areindependently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl or two of R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ arejoined together to form a 5 or 6-membered heterocycle such aspyrrolidino or piperidino with the nitrogen to which thy are attached;

E is --CH₂ CH₂ --, --CH═CH--, or --(CH₂)₃ --; and Z is ##STR12## whereinthe dotted lines represent all of the possible oxidation states of thebicyclic system such as naphthalene, dihydro-, tetrahydro-, hexahydro-,octahydro-, and decahydronaphthalene;

X is --O-- or NR⁹ wherein

R⁹ is H or C₁₋₃ alkyl;

R⁷ is C₂₋₈ alkyl; and

R⁸ is H or --CH₃ ; ##STR13## wherein R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are independentlya) hydrogen,

b) halogen, such as bromo, chloro or fluoro,

c) C₁₋₄ alkyl,

d) halo-C₁₋₄ alkyl,

e) phenyl either unsubstituted or substituted with one or more of

i) C₁₋₄ alkyl,

ii) C₁₋₄ alkyl,

iii) C₂₋₈ alkanoyloxy, or

iv) halo-C₁₋₄ alkyl,

v) halo, such as bromo, chloro or fluoro,

f) OR¹³ wherein R¹³ is

i) hydrogen,

ii) C₁₋₈ alkanoyl,

iii) benzoyl,

iv) phenyl,

v) halophenyl,

vi) phenyl-C₁₋₃ alkyl, either unsubstituted or substituted with one ormore halogen, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl or halo-C₁₋₄ alkyl,

vii) C₁₋₉ alkyl,

viii) cinnamyl,

ix) halo-C₁₋₄ alkyl,

x) allyl,

xi) C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃ alkyl,

Xii) adamantyl-C₁₋₃ alkyl, ##STR14## wherein n is 0-2, and R¹⁴ is halosuch as chloro, bromo or fluoro, or C₁₋₄ alkyl, and ##STR15## whereinthe dotted lines represent possible double bonds there being 0, 1 or 2double bonds; m represents 1, 2 or 3; and

R¹⁵ is

1) methyl,

2) hydroxy,

3) C₁₋₄ alkoxy,

4) oxo or

5) halo.

In the discussion of the prior art at pages 2 and 3 of the aboveEuropean patent, it is indicated that HMG CoA reductase inhibitorsreported in the patent literature and elsewhere include compactin;mevinolin, di- and tetrahydro derivatives thereof; analogs withdifferent esters in the 8-position of the polyhydronaphthalene moiety,totally synthetic analogs, wherein the polyhydronaphthalene moiety isreplaced by substituted mono- and bicyclic aromatics. The applicantstates at pages 3 and 4 as follows:

"But in all instances the active compound included a4-hydroxytetrahydropyran-2-one ring or the corresponding 3,5-dihydroxyacid, or derivatives thereof, formed by opening the pyranone ring suchas: ##STR16## In all of these compounds the 3,5-dihydroxy acid orcorresponding lactone moiety is present and the particularstereochemistry depicted is essential for manifestation of the optimumenzyme inhibitory activity."

GB 1,586,152 discloses a group of synthetic compounds of the formula##STR17## in which E represents a direct bond, a C₁₋₃ alkylene bridge ora vinylene bridge and the various R's represent a variety ofsubstituents.

The activity reported in the U.K. patent is less than 1% that ofcompactin.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,475 to Willard et al discloses hypocholesterolemicand hypolipemic compounds having the structure ##STR18## wherein A is Hor methyl; E is a direct bond, --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ l--, --CH₂ --CH₂--CH₂ -- or --CH═CH--; R₁, R₂ and R₃ are each selected from H, halogen,C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl substituted by halogen, C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkanoyloxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, or C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, and OR₄ inwhich R₄ is H, C₂₋₈ alkanoyl, benzoyl, phenyl, halophenyl, phenyl C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₉ alkyl, cinnamyl, C₁₋₄ haloalkyl, allyl, cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃-alkyl, adamantyl-C₁₋₃ -alkyl, or substituted phenyl C₁₋₃ -alkyl in eachof which the substituents are selected from halogen, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, or C₁₋₄ haloalkyl; and the corresponding dihydroxy acidsresulting from the hydrolytic opening of the lactone ring, and thepharmaceutically acceptable salts of said acids, and the C₁₋₃ alkyl andphenyl, dimethylamino or acetylamino substituted C₁₋₃ -alkyl esters ofthe dihydroxy acids; all of the compounds being the enantiomers having a4 R configuration in the tetrahydropyran moiety of the trans racemateshown in the above formula.

GB 2162-179-A discloses napthyl analogues of mevalolactone useful ascholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors having the structure ##STR19##wherein R₁ =1-3C alkyl; Z is a gp. of formula Z₁ or Z₂ : ##STR20## R₇=H, a hydrolysable ester gp. or a cation.

European Patent No. 164-698-A discloses preparation of lactones usefulas anti-hypercholesterolemic agents by treating an amide with an organicsulphonyl halide R⁵ SO₂ X, then removing the protecting group Pr.##STR21## wherein X=halo;

Pr=a carbinol-protecting group;

R¹ =H or CH₃ ;

R³, R⁴ =H, 1-3C alkyl or phenyl-(1-3C alkyl), the phenyl beingoptionally substituted by 1-3C alkyl, 1-3C alkoxy or halo;

R² =a group of formula (A) or (B): ##STR22## R⁶ =H or OH; R=H or CH₃ ;

a, b, c and d=optional double bonds;

R⁷ =phenyl or benzyloxy, the ring in each case being optionallysubstituted by 1-3C alkyl or halo;

R⁸, R⁹ =1-3C alkyl or halo;

R⁵ =1-3C alkyl, phenyl or mono- or di-(1-3C alkyl)phenyl.

Anderson, Paul Leroy, Ger. Offen. DE 3,525,256 discloses naphthylanalogs of mevalonolactones of the structure ##STR23## wherein R¹ isalkyl, Z=Q, Q¹ ; R⁷ =H, or a hydrolyzable ester group useful asinhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis and in treatment ofatherosclerosis.

WO 8402-903 (based on U.S. application Ser. No. 460,600, filed Jan. 24,1983) filed in the name of Sandoz AG discloses mevalono-lactoneanalogues useful as hypolipoproteinaemic agents having the structure##STR24## wherein the two groups Ro together form a radical of formula##STR25## wherein R₂ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, (exceptt-butoxy), trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy,

R₃ is hydrogen, C₁₋₃ alkyl, C₁₋₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro,chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy, with the provisos that not more than oneof R₂ and R₃ is trifluoromethyl, not more than one of R₂ and R₃ isphenoxy, and not more than one of R₂ and R₃ is benzyloxy,

R₁ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, fluoro, chloro or benzyloxy,

R₄ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, (except t-butoxy),trifluoromethyl, fluoro, chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy,

R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₃ alkyl, C₁₋₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro,chloro, phenoxy or benzyloxy,

R_(5a) is hydrogen, C₁₋₂ alkyl, C₁₋₂ alkoxy, fluoro or chloro, and withthe provisos that not more than one of R₄ and R₅ is trifluoromethyl, notmore than one of R₄ and R₅ is phenoxy and not more than one of R₄ and R₅is benzyloxy, ##STR26## wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and both q's are 0 orone is 0 and the other is 1,

Z is ##STR27## wherein R₆ is hydrogen or C₁₋₃ alkyl, with the generalproviso that -X-Z and the R₄ bearing phenyl group are ortho to eachother;

in free acid form or in the form of a physiologically-hydrolysable andacceptable ester or a 6 lactone thereof or in salt form.

WO 8603-488-A (Sandoz AG) discloses indene analogues of mevalolactone,useful as hypolipoproteinaemia and anti-atherosclerotic agents, in freeacid form or in the form of an ester or delta-lactone or in salt formwhich have the formula ##STR28## R=H or primary or secondary 1-6C alkyl;R₁ =primary or secondary 1-6C alkyl; or R+R₁ =(CH₂)_(m) or (Z)--CH₂--CH═CH--CH₂ ;

m=2-6;

R_(o) =1-6C alkyl, 3-7C cycloalkyl or R₄, R₅, R₆ -substituted phenyl;

R₂, R₄ =H, 1-4C alkyl, 1-4C alkoxy (except t-butoxy), CF₃, F, Cl,phenoxy or benzyloxy;

R₃ and R₅ =H, 1-3C alkyl, 1-3C alkoxy, CF₃, F, Cl, phenoxy or benzyloxy;

R₆ =H, 1-2C alkyl, 1-2C alkoxy, F or Cl;

provided that there may only be one each of CF₃, phenoxy or benzyloxy oneach of the phenyl and indene rings;

X=(CH₂)n or --(CH₂)_(q) --CH═CH(CH₂)_(q) --;

n=1-3;

both q's=0, or one is 0 and the other is 1;

Z=--Q--CH₂ --C(R₁₀)(OH)--CH₂ COOH, in free acid form or in the form ofan ester or delta-lactone or salt;

Q=CO, --C(OR₇)₂ -- or CHOH;

R'_(7s) =the same primary or secondary 1-6C alkyl, or together are(CH₂)₂ or (CH₂)₃ ;

R₁₀ =H or 1-3C alkyl;

provided that Q may be other than CHOH only when X is CH═CH or CH₂--CH═CH and/or R₁₀ is 1-3C alkyl.

Heathcock, J. Med. Chem., 1989, 32, 197 discloses the synthesis of amonocyclic compound of the structure ##STR29## However, this compound isrelatively inactive as an HG CoA reductase inhibitor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, compounds are provided havingthe structure ##STR30## and include all stereoisomers thereof, wherein Zis ##STR31## R is H, lower alkyl or metal ion such as an alkali metal,e.g. Na, Li or K.

R¹ is H, lower alkyl, aryl, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or heterocyclic;

R² is lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, preferably ##STR32## whereinR³ is H or lower alkyl; n is 1, 2 or 3; and X is O or NR⁵ wherein R⁵ isH or lower alkyl, and R⁴ is lower alkyl, lower thioalkyl, or ##STR33##wherein m is 0, 1, 2 or 3, p is 0, 1 or 2 and R⁶ is halogen, loweralkyl, hydroxy or lower alkoxy.

Thus, the compounds of the invention include the following types ofcompounds. ##STR34##

Preferred are compounds of structure I wherein R¹ is H, R² is ##STR35##R³ is CH₃, X is O or NH and Z ##STR36##

The term "lower alkyl" or "alkyl" as employed herein includes bothstraight and branched chain radicals of up to 12 carbons, preferably 1to 8 carbons, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl,isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl,2,2,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, the variousbranched chain isomers thereof, and the like as well as such groupsincluding a halo-substituent, such as F, Br, Cl or I or CF₃, alkoxy,aryl, alkylaryl, haloaryl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, hydroxy,alkoxycarbonyl, alkanoyloxy, aroyloxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl,alkylsulfonyl, arylthio, arylsulfinyl and/or arylsulfonyl.

The term "cycloalkyl" includes saturated cyclic hydrocarbon groupscontaining 3 to 12 carbons, preferably 3 to 8 carbons, which includecyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl and cyclododecyl, any of which groups may besubstituted with 1 or 2 of the following groups: halogen, lower alkoxy,lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkanoyl, aroyl, aryl,alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylthio,cycloalkylsulfinyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylthio and/or oxo.

The term "aryl" or "Ar" as employed herein refers to monocyclic orbicyclic aromatic groups containing from 6 to 10 carbons in the ringportion, such as phenyl, naphthyl, substituted phenyl or substitutednaphthyl wherein the substituent on either the phenyl or naphthyl may be1 or 2 of the following groups, lower alkyl, halogen (Cl, Br, F or CF₃),lower alkoxy, nitro, alkoxy and/or cyano.

The term "aralkyl", "aryl-alkyl" or "aryl-lower alkyl" as used hereinrefers to lower alkyl groups as discussed above having an arylsubstituent, such as benzyl.

The term "lower alkoxy", "alkoxy" or "aralkoxy" includes any of theabove lower alkyl, alkyl or aralkyl groups linked to an oxygen atom.

The term "halogen" or "halo" as used herein refers to chlorine, bromine,fluorine or iodine, with chlorine being preferred.

The term "lower alkenyl" as used herein refers to straight or branchedchain radicals of 2 to 12 carbons, preferably 2 to 6 carbons in thenormal chain, which include one double bond in the normal chain, such as2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl,3-hexenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 4-heptenyl, 3-octenyl, 3-nonenyl,4-decenyl, 3-undecenyl, 4-dodecenyl and the like.

The terms "alkanoyl" and "aroyl" refer to a lower alkyl group linked toa carbonyl group or an aryl group linked to a carbonyl group.

The term "haloalkyl" as used herein refers to any of the lower alkylgroups defined above substituted with a halogen as defined above, forexample CH₂ F, CF₃ and the like.

The term "metal ion" refers to alkali metal ions such as sodium,potassium or lithium and alkaline earth metal ions such as magnesium andcalcium.

The term "heteroaryl" as used herein refers to a 5 to 10 membered monoor bicyclic ring which includes one or two hetero atoms, namely, N, S orO, such as 3-pyrrolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 3-pyridyl,2-pyridyl, 3-aminopyridinyl, pyrazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 2-indolizinyl,2-thienyl, 3-furyl, 2-quinolyl, 1-indolyl, 5-isothiazolyl, 5-isoxazoyl,and the like.

The term heteroaralkyl as used herein refers to any of the above heterogroups linked to an alkylene group.

The term "heterocyclic" or "hetero" as used herein alone or a part ofanother group refers to 5- to 10-membered, preferably 5 to 8 membered,monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic rings containing 1 or 2 hetero atomssuch as N; N and O; and N and S and includes piperidino, pyrrolidino,morpholino, thiamorpholino, piperazino, homopiperazino, piperidinyl,pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, histaminyl, andthe like.

The compounds of the invention may be prepared as described below.

The method for preparing the compounds of formula I wherein X is 0, thatis compounds of formula IA, is set out in the following Reaction SchemeI.

The method for preparing compounds of formula I where X is NR⁵, that iscompounds of formula IB, is set out in the following Reaction Scheme II.##STR37##

Referring to the Reaction Scheme I set out hereinbefore, compounds offormula IA (X is O) are prepared starting with pravastatin (compound II)which is converted to the corresponding free acid by treating II withmild aqueous acid such as potassium bisulfate, hydrochloride acid orsulfuric acid in the presence of a solvent such as ethyl acetate (EtOAc)or dichloromethane. The resulting free acid is subjected tolactonization by treating a solution of same in an inert organic solventsuch as ethyl acetate or dichloromethane with trifluoroacetic (TFA) orhydrofluoric acid employing a molar ratio of acid:free acid of withinthe range of from about 0.1:1 to about 0.2:1, for a period of from about16 to about 24 hours.

Lactone III is dissolved in, for example, methylene chloride ortetrahydrofuran, and then treated with amine base such as imidazole,triethylamine, ethyldiisopropylamine or N,N-dimethylaniline and thenwith a silyl chloride protecting agent (ProCl) such astertiary-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, tertiary-butyldiphenylsilylchloride, triethylsilyl chloride or phenyldimethylsilyl chloride, and anappropriate catalyst such as 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), for aperiod of from about 8 to about 24 hours, preferably from about 12 toabout 16 hours, to form the protected compound IV. In carrying out theabove reaction the amine base is employed in a molar ratio to thelactone III of within the range of from about 1:1 to about 1.2:1 and thesilyl chloride protecting agent is employed in a molar ratio to lactoneIII of within the range of from about 1:1 to about 1.1:1.

The protected compound IV is then hydrogenated by treatment withhydrogen (for a period of from about 4 to about 24 hours) in thepresence of a hydrogenation catalyst such as platinum on carbon,palladium on carbon or platinum oxide, and the crude reduction productis desilylated by treatment with hydrofluoric acid (for a period of fromabout 0.5 to about 1.5 hours) in the presence of an organic solvent suchas acetonitrile under an inert atmosphere such as argon, employing amolar ratio of crude reaction product:HF of within the range of fromabout 1:2 to about 1:5, to form the compound V.

Compound V is then reduced by treating a solution of V in an inertorganic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane or toluene,with diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H), under an inert atmospheresuch as argon, at a temperature within the range of from about -80° C.to about -40° C., for a period of from about 0.5 to about 2 hours, toform a crude lactol which is suspended under an inert atmosphere such asargon in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, and treatedwith sodium borohydride and an alcohol solvent such as methanol orethanol, at a temperature within the range of from about 0° C. to about25° C., to form crude tetraol. The crude tetraol, with furtherpurification, is dissolved in dry inert organic solvent such as drydimethylformamide (DMF), under an inert atmosphere such as argon, andselectively silylated by treating with a base such as imidazole and thelike as described above, silylating agent (ProCl), as described above,using the procedure as described hereinbefore, to form the silylatedcompound VI. Compound VI is then converted to the correspondingacetonide by treating with p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (p-TsOH)in the presence of dry acetone for a period of from about 4 to about 16hours, to form the acetonide compound VII.

Compound VII is then oxidized via a Dess-Martin periodinane by admixinga solution of Dess-Martin periodinane in an inert organic solvent suchas methylene chloride, under an inert atmosphere such as argon, witht-butanol and a solution of VII in an inert organic solvent such asmethylene chloride for a period of from about 0.5 to about 2 hours,employing a molar ratio of periodinane:VII of within the range of fromabout 1:1 to about 1.5:1. The crude product is purified and made toundergo base-catalyzed elimination by forming a solution of the purifiedproduct with an aromatic solvent such as toluene or benzene and treatingthe solution with diazobicycloundecane (DBU), for a period of from about1 to about 2 hours, to form compound VIII. Compound VIII is dissolved indry pyridine and is treated with a solution of OsO₄ in dry pyridineunder an inert atmosphere such as argon, employing a molar ratio of OsO₄:VIII of within the range of from about 1:1 to about 1.1:1, for a periodof from about 1 to about 4 hours, to form IX.

To a solution of compound IX in dioxane, under an inert atmosphere suchas argon, is added a solution of sodium periodate in water (employing amolar ratio of IX:periodate of from about 1:2 to about 1:2.5), theresulting reaction is allowed to proceed for a period of from about 12to about 18 hours. The resulting crude product is taken up in a solventsuch as diethyl ether, cooled and treated with etherial diazomethane toform an aldehyde which is dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran, at atemperature of from about -10° to about 0° C., and treated under aninert atmosphere such as argon, with a reducing agent such as LiAl(Ot-C₄H₉)₃ H, to form compound X.

Compound X is then reduced by treating a solution of X in dry organicsolvent such as toluene, dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, withdiisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H), in dry organic solvent such astoluene, under an inert atmosphere such as argon, at a temperature offrom about -80° to about -40° C., for a period of from about 0.5 toabout 2 hours, to form crude lactol which is subjected to a Wittigreaction as follows. A suspension of a triphenylphosphonium bromide ofthe structure A

    (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 P.sup.⊕ CH.sub.2 R.sup.1 Br.sup.⊖(A)

in dry organic solvent such as toluene, or tetrahydrofuran, at atemperature of from about -20° to about 0° C., under an inert atmospheresuch as argon, is treated with a solution of potassium t-amylate orpotassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in dry organic solvent such astoluene, or tetrahydrofuran. After stirring the mixture for about 0.5 toabout 2 hours, a solution of the above crude lactol in dry organicsolvent such as toluene or tetrahydrofuran is reacted with the mixture,at a temperature of from about 0° to about 25° C., for a period of fromabout 1 to about 3 hours, employing a molar ratio of lactol:phosphoniumcompound A of within the range of from about 1:2 to about 1:4, to formalcohol XI. Alcohol XI is reduced by treating with hydrogen (for aperiod of from about 1 to about 2 hours) in the presence of ahydrogenation catalyst such as palladium on carbon, platinum on carbonor platinum oxide, and an alcohol solvent such as methanol or ethanol.The crude product is then acylated by treating same with an acylatingagent of the structure B

    R.sup.2 COCl                                               B

employing a molar ratio of reduced alcohol:B of within the range of fromabout 1:1 to about 1:2 in the presence of base such as pyridine and4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), under an inert atmosphere such asargon, at a temperature of from about 0° to about 25° C., for a periodof from about 8 to about 24 hours, to form ester XII.

Ester XII is made to undergo desilylation by treating a solution of XIIin dry organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, under an inertatmosphere such as argon, with a desilylating agent such as (n--C₄ H₉)₄NF, in an organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, for a period of fromabout 8 to about 24 hours, employing a molar ratio of XII: disilylatingagent of from about 1:1 to about 1:3, to form alcohol XIII.

Compound XIII is then oxidized via Dess-Martin periodinane by admixing asolution of Dess-Martin periodinane in an inert organic solvent such asmethylene chloride, under an inert atmosphere such as argon, witht-butanol and a solution of XIII in an inert organic solvent such asmethylene chloride, for a period of from about 0.5 to about 2 hours,employing a molar ratio of periodinane:XIII of within the range of fromabout 1:1 to about 1.5:1. The crude aldehyde is taken up in an organicsolvent such as t-butanol and 5% aqueous NaH₂ PO₄, and treated withoxidizing agent such as potassium permanganate, for a period of fromabout 5 to about 15 minutes, employing a molar ratio of crudealdehyde:oxidizing agent of from about 1:5 to about 1:10, to form crudeacid which is esterified by treatment with etherial diazoalkane such asdiazomethane, diazoethane, or phenyldiazomethane, to form the ester XIV.

Ester XIV is subjected to acetonide cleavage and lactonization bytreating a solution of XIV, in a mixture of aqueous hydrofluoric acidand acetonitrile for a period of from about 4 to about 8 hours, to formthe lactone of the invention IC.

The formula IC compound of the invention may be hydrolyzed by treatingIC with aqueous alkali metal base to form the compound ID of theinvention.

Referring to the Reaction Scheme II set out hereinbefore, compounds offormula IB (X is NR⁵) are prepared starting with alcohol XI which isreduced by treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such aspalladium on charcoal and an alcohol solvent such as methanol, to formXIA. XIA is mesylated by reacting XIA with methanesulfonyl chloride inthe presence of triethylamine or other base such asdiisopropylethylamine, in the presence of an inert organic solvent suchas methylene chloride to form crude mesylate, followed by displacementwith lithium or sodium azide by treating the mesylate with lithium orsodium azide in the presence of dimethylformamide at a temperature offrom about 25° to about 75° C., for a period of from about 2 to about 8hours, to form the azide compound XIB.

Azide XIB is then reduced by treatment with hydrogen in the presence ofpalladium on charcoal and alcohol solvent such as methanol or ethanoland the resulting compound is acylated by treatment with acylating agentB

    R.sup.2 COCl                                               B

employing a molar ratio of amine:B of within the range of from about 1:1to about 1:3, in the presence of base such as pyridine and4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), under an inert atmosphere such asargon, at a temperature of from about 0° to about 25° C., for a periodof from about 0.5 to about 2 hours, to form amide XIIA.

Amide XIIA may be used in place of ester XII in Reaction Scheme I toform compounds XIIIA, XIVA, IF and IG where R⁵ is H.

Compounds of the invention of formula I where X is NR⁵, and R⁵ is alkylmay be prepared by treating amide XIIA with a base such as sodiumhydride, or potassium t-butoxide and an alkylhalide R^(5a) -X (whereR^(5a) is alkyl and X is bromine or iodine) in a solvent such astetrahydrofuran or dimethylfuramide, at a temperture of from about 25°to about 50° C., for a period of from about 2 to about 16 hours,employing a molar ratio of base:XIIA of from about 1:1 to about 1.1:1and a molar ratio of alkyl halide:XIIA of from about 1:1 to about 3:1,to form amide XIIB.

Amide XIIB may be used in place of amide XII in Reaction Scheme I toform compounds XIIIA, XIVA, IF AND IG, where R⁵ is alkyl.

Compounds of the invention where R is lower alkyl may be prepared asfollows.

Esters, preferably alkyl esters, of the carboxylic acids of formula IEor IH may be obtained by contacting the carboxylic acid of formula IE orIH with an appropriate alcohol, preferably in the presence of an acidcatalyst, for example a mineral acid (such as hydrochloric acid orsulphuric acid), a Lewis acid (for example boron trifluoride) or an ionexchange resin. The solvent employed for this reaction is not critical,provided that it does not adversely affect the reaction: suitablesolvents include benzene, chloroform, ethers and the like.Alternatively, the desired product may be obtained by contacting thecarboxylic acid of formula IE or IH with a diazoalkane, in which thealkane moiety may be substituted or unsubstituted. This reaction isusually effected by contacting the acid with an ethereal solution of thediazoalkane. As a further alternative, the ester may be obtained bycontacting a metal salt of the carboxylic acid of formula IE or IH witha halide, preferably an alkyl halide, in a suitable solvent: preferredsolvents include dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxideand acetone. All of the reactions for producing esters are preferablyeffected at about ambient temperature, but, if required by the nature ofthe reaction system, the reactions may be conducted with heating.

Compound IE or IH of the invention is obtained by Careful acidificationof an aqueous solution of compound ID or IG with an acid such as aqueouspotassium bisulfate followed by extraction of IE or IH from the aqueousmixture with an organic solvent such as ethyl acetate, dichloromethaneor chloroform. The organic extracts are then dried with MgSO₄ or Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to provide IE or IH.

Compounds of the invention of formula I where R is lower alkyl may alsobe obtained by adding to a solution of compound IC or IF in anappropriate alcohol a slight molar excess of the corresponding alkoxide.The mixture is then diluted with an organic solvent such as ethylacetate or chloroform and extracted with water. The organic portion isdried with MgSO₄ or Na₂ SO₄, filtered and concentrated to provide loweralkyl ester of compounds of formula 1.

Alternatively, compounds of the invention of formula I where R is loweralkyl are obtained by solvolysis of the lactone IC or IF in the presenceof an appropriate alcohol and an acid catalyst, which may be aninorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid, a Lewis acidsuch as boron trifluoride or an acidic ion-exchange resin. In the caseof an inorganic acid or Lewis acid, isolation of the product esterinvolves neutralization and extraction followed by drying, filtering andconcentrating. In the case of an ion exchange resin, simple filtrationand concentration will provide the product ester.

The compounds of formula I of the invention will be formulated with apharmaceutical vehicle or diluent. The pharmaceutical composition can beformulated in a classical manner utilizing solid or liquid vehicles ordiluents and pharmaceutical additives of a type appropriate to the modeof desired administration. The compounds can be administered by an oralroute, for example, in the form of tablets, capsules, granules orpowders, or they can be administered by a parenteral route in the formof injectable preparations.

A typical capsule for oral administration contains active ingredients(25 mg), lactose (75 mg) and magnesium stearate (15 mg). The mixture ispassed through a 60 mesh sieve and packed into a No. 1 gelatin capsule.

A typical injectable preparation is produced by asceptically placing 25mg of a water soluble salt of sterile active ingredient into a vial,asceptically freeze-drying and sealing. For use, the contents of thevial are mixed with 2 ml of physiological saline, to produce aninjectable preparation.

New intermediates in accordance with the present invention may berepresented by the following formulae: ##STR38## where R^(5') CH₂ OH orCO₂ alkyl.

The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and inhibitcholesterol biosynthesis. Such compounds are useful in treatingatherosclerosis to inhibit progression of disease, in treatinghyperlipidemia to inhibit development of atherosclerosis, and intreating nephrotic hyperlipidemia. In addition, the compounds of theinvention increase plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol levelsand lower plasma low density and intermediate density lipoproteincholesterol levels.

As HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, the compounds of the invention may alsobe useful in inhibiting formation of gallstones and in treating tumors.

The compounds of the invention may also be employed in combination withan antihyperlipoproteinemic agent such as probucol and/or with one ormore serum cholesterol lowering agents such as Lopid (gemfibrozil), bileacid sequestrants such as cholestyramine, colestipol, DEAE-Sephadex aswell as clofibrate, nicotinic acid and its derivatives, neomycin,p-aminosalicyclic acid, lovastatin, pravastatin, visinolin (velostatin,symvastatin or sinvinolin) and the like, and/or one or more squalenesynthetase inhibitors.

The above compounds to be employed in combination with the HMG CoAreductase inhibitor of the invention will be used in amounts asindicated in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR).

The compounds of this invention also have useful antifungal activities.For example, they may be used to control strains of Penicillium sp.,Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Cochliobolus miyabeorus andHelminthosporium cynodnotis. For those utilities they are admixed withsuitable formulating agents, powders, emulsifying agents or solventssuch as aqueous ethanol and sprayed or dusted on the plants to beprotected.

In addition, the compounds of the invention may be useful in elevatingHDL-cholesterol while lowering levels of LDL-cholesterol and serumtriglycerides, and for treating tumors.

The compounds of the invention prepared as described above are single,homochiral diastereomers. The compounds of the described absolutestereochemistry are preferred, but compounds with the oppositestereochemistry at one or more of the stereocenters are also within thescope of the present invention.

The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and thus areuseful in inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis as demonstrated by thefollowing tests.

1) Rat Hepatic HMG-CoA Reductase

Rat hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity is measured using a modificationof the method described by Edwards (Edwards, P. A., et al., J. LipidRes. 20:40, 1979). Rat hepatic microsomes are used as a source ofenzyme, and the enzyme activity is determined by measuring theconversion of the ¹⁴ C-HMG-CoA substrate to ¹⁴ C-mevalonic acid.

a. Preparation of Microsomes

Livers are removed from 2-4 cholestyramine-fed, decapitated, SpragueDawley rats, and homogenized in phosphate buffer A (potassium phosphate,0.04M, pH 7.2; KCl, 0.05M; sucrose, 0.1M; EDTA, 0.03M; aprotinin, 500 KIunits/ml). The homogenate is spun at 16,000×g for 15 minutes at 4° C.The supernatant is removed and recentrifuged under the same conditions asecond time. The second 16,000×g supernatant is spun at 100,000×g for 70minutes at 4° C. Pelleted microsomes are resuspended in a minimum volumeof buffer A (3-5 ml per liver), and homogenized in a glass/glasshomogenizer. Dithiothreitol is added (10 mM), and the preparation isaliquoted, quick frozen in acetone/dry ice, and stored at -80° C. Thespecific activity of the first microsomal preparation was 0.68 nmolemevalonic acid/mg protein/minute.

b. Enzyme Assay

The reductase is assayed in 0.25 ml which contains the followingcomponents at the indicated final concentrations:

    ______________________________________                                        0.04     M         Potassium phosphate, pH 7.0                                0.05     M         KCl                                                        0.10     M         Sucrose                                                    0.03     M         EDTA                                                       0.01     M         Dithiothreitol                                             3.5      mM        NaCl                                                       1%                 Dimethylsulfoxide                                          50-200   μg     Microsomal protein                                         100      μM     .sup.14 C-[DL]HMG-CoA (0.05 μCi,                                           30-60 mCi/mmole)                                           2.7      mM        NADPH (nicotinamide adenine                                                   dinucleotide phosphate)                                    ______________________________________                                    

Reaction mixtures are incubated at 37° C. Under conditions described,enzyme activity increases linearly up to 300 μg microsomal protein perreaction mixture, and is linear with respect to incubation time up to 30minutes. The standard incubation time chosen for drug studies is 20minutes, which results in 12-15% conversion of HMG-CoA substrate to themevalonic acid product. [DL-]HMG-CoA substrate is used at 100 μM, twicethe concentration needed to saturate the enzyme under the conditionsdescribed. NADPH is used in excess at a level 2.7 times theconcentration required to achieve maximum enzyme velocity.

Standardized assays for the evaluation of inhibitors are conductedaccording to the following procedure. Microsomal enzyme is incubated inthe presence of NADPH at 37° C. for 15 minutes. DMSO vehicle with orwithout test compound is added, and the mixture further incubated for 15minutes at 37° C. The enzyme assay is initiated by adding ¹⁴ C-HMG-CoAsubstrate. After 20 minutes incubation at 37° C. the reaction is stoppedby the addition of 25 μl of 33% KOH. ³ H-mevalonic acid (0.05 μCi) isadded, and the reaction mixture allowed to stand at room temperature for30 minutes. Fifty μl 5N HCl is added to lactonize the mevalonic acid.Bromophenol blue is added as a pH indicator to monitor an adequate dropin pH. Lactonization is allowed to proceed for 30 minutes at roomtemperature. Reaction mixtures are centrifuged for 15 minutes at 2800rpm. The supernatants are layered onto 2 grams AG 1-X8 anion exchangeresin (Biorad, formate form) poured in 0.7 cm (id) glass columns, andeluted with 2.0 ml H₂ O. The first 0.5 ml is discarded, and the next 1.5ml is collected and counted for both tritium and carbon 14 in 10.0 mlOpti-fluor scintillation fluid. Results are calculated as nmolesmevalonic acid produced per 20 minutes, and are corrected to 100%recovery of tritium. Drug effects are expressed as I₅₀ values(concentration of drug producing 50% inhibition of enzyme activity)derived from composite dose response data with the 95% confidenceinterval indicated.

Conversion of drugs in lactone form to their sodium salts isaccomplished by solubilizing the lactone in DMSO, adding a 10-fold molarexcess of NaOH, and allowing the mixture to stand at room temperaturefor 15 minutes. The mixture is then partially neutralized (pH 7.5-8.0)using 1N HCl, and diluted into the enzyme reaction mixture.

2) Cholesterol Synthesis in Freshly Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

Compounds which demonstrate activity as inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductaseare evaluated for their ability to inhibit ¹⁴ C-acetate incorporationinto cholesterol in freshly isolated rat hepatocyte suspensions usingmethods originally described by Capuzzi et al. (Capuzzi, D. M. andMargolis, S., Lipids, 6:602, 1971).

a. Isolation of Rat Hepatocytes

Sprague Dawley rats (180-220 grams) are anesthetized with Nembutol (50mg/kg). The abdomen is opened and the first branch of the portal vein istied closed. Heparin (100-200 units) is injected directly into theabdominal vena cava. A single closing suture is placed on the distalsection of the portal vein, and the portal vein is canulated between thesuture and the first branching vein. The liver is perfused at a rate of20 ml/minute with prewarmed (37° C.), oxygenated buffer A (HBSS withoutcalcium or magnesium containing 0.5 mM EDTA) after severing the venacava to allow drainage of the effluent. The liver is additionallyperfused with 200 ml of prewarmed buffer B (HBSS containing 0.05%bacterial collagenase). Following perfusion with buffer B, the liver isexcised and decapsulated in 60 ml Waymouth's medium allowing free cellsto disperse into the medium. Hepatocytes are isolated by low speedcentrifugation for 3 minutes at 50×g at room temperature. Pelletedhepatocytes are washed once in Waymouth's medium, counted and assayedfor viability by trypan blue exclusion. These hepatocyte enriched cellsuspensions routinely show 70-90% viability.

b. ¹⁴ C-Acetate Incorporation into Cholesterol

Hepatocytes are resuspended at 5×10⁶ cells per 2.0 ml in incubationmedium (IM) [0.02M Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 0.1M KCl, 0.33 MgCl₂, 0.22 mMsodium citrate, 6.7 mM nicotinamide, 0.23 mM NADP, 1.7 mMglucose-6-phosphate].

Test compounds are routinely dissolved in DMSO or DMSO:H₂ O (1:3) andadded to the IM. Final DMSO concentration in the IM is ≦1.0%, and has nosignificant effect on cholesterol synthesis.

Incubation is initiated by adding ¹⁴ C-acetate (58 mCi/mmol, 2 μCi/ml),and placing the cell suspensions (2.0 ml) in 35 mm tissue culturedishes, at 37° C. for 2.0 hours. Following incubation, cell suspensionsare transferred to glass centrifuge tubes and spun at 50×g for 3 minutesat room temperature. Cell pellets are resuspended and lysed in 1.0 ml H₂O, and placed in an ice bath.

Lipids are extracted essentially as described by Bligh, E. G. and W. J.Dyer, Can. J. Biochem. and Physiol., 37:911, 1959. The lower organicphase is removed and dried under a stream of nitrogen, and the residueresuspended in (100 μl) chloroform:methanol (2:1). The total sample isspotted on silica gel (LK6D) thin-layer plates and developed inhexane:ethyl ether:acetic acid (75:25:1). Plates are scanned and countedusing a BioScan automated scanning system. Radiolabel in the cholesterolpeak (RF 0.28) is determined and expressed at total counts per peak andas a percent of the label in the total lipid extract. Cholesterol peaksin control cultures routinely contain 800-1000 cpm, and are 9-20% of thelabel present in the total lipid extract; results compatable withCapuzzi, et al., indicating 9% of extracted label in cholesterol.

Drug effects (% inhibition of cholesterol synthesis) are determined bycomparing % of label in cholesterol for control and drug treatedcultures. Dose response curves are constructed from composite data fromtwo or more studies, and results are expressed as I₅₀ values with a 95%confidence interval.

3) Cholesterol Synthesis in Human Skin Fibroblasts

Compound selectivity favoring greater inhibitory activity in hepatictissue would be an attribute for a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor.

Therefore, in addition to evaluating cholesterol synthesis inhibitors inhepatocytes, these compounds are also tested for their activity asinhibitors of cholesterol synthesis in cultured fibroblasts.

a. Human Skin Fibroblast Cultures

Human skin fibroblasts (passage 7-27) are grown in Eagles' minimalessential medium (EM) containing 10% fetal calf serum. For eachexperiment, stock cultures are trypsonized to disperse the cellmonolayer, counted, and plated in 35 mm tissue culture wells (5×10⁵cells/2.0 ml). Cultures are incubated for 18 hours at 37° C. in 5% CO₂/95% humidified room air. Cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes are inducedby removing the serum containing medium, washing the cell monolayers,and adding 1.0 ml of EM containing 1.0% fatty acid free bovine serumalbumin, and incubating the cultures an additional 24 hours.

b. ¹⁴ C-Acetate Incorporation into Cholesterol

Induced fibroblast cultures are washed with EMEM₁₀₀ (Earle's minimalessential medium). Test compounds are dissolved in DMSO or DMSO:EM (1:3)(final DMSO concentration in cell cultures ≦1.0%), added to thecultures, and the cultures preincubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. in 5%CO₂ /95% humidified room air. Following preincubation with drugs, [1-¹⁴C]Na acetate (2.0 μCi/ml, 58 mCi/mmole) is added, and the culturesreincubated for 4 hours. After incubation, the culture medium isremoved, and the cell monolayer (200 μg cell protein per culture) isscraped into 1.0 ml of H₂ O. Lipids in the lysed cell suspension areextracted into chloroform:methanol as described for hepatocytesuspensions. The organic phase is dried under nitrogen, and the residueresuspended in chloroform:methanol (2:1) (100 μl), and the total samplespotted on silica gel (LK6D) thin-layer plates, and analyzed asdescribed for hepatocytes.

Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis is determined by comparing thepercent of label in the cholesterol peak from control and drug-treatedcultures. Results are expressed as I₅₀ values, and are derived fromcomposite dose response curves from two or more experiments. A 95%confidence interval for the I₅₀ value is also calculated from thecomposite dose response curves.

A further aspect of the present invention is a pharmaceuticalcomposition consisting of at least one of the compounds of formula I inassociation with a pharmaceutical vehicle or diluent. The pharmaceuticalcomposition can be formulated employing conventional solid or liquidvehicles of diluents and pharmaceutical additives of a type appropriateto the mode of desired administration. The compounds can be administeredby an oral route, for example, in the form of tablets, capsules,granules or powders, or they can be administered by a parenteral routein the form of injectable preparations, such dosage forms containingfrom 1 to 2000 mg of active compound per dosage, for use in thetreatment. The dose to be administered depends on the unitary dose, thesymptoms, and the age and the body weight of the patient.

The compounds of formula I may be administered in a similar manner andin amounts as known compounds suggested for use in inhibitingcholesterol biosynthesis, such as lovastatin or pravastatin, inmammalian species such as humans, dogs, cats and the like. Thus, thecompounds of the invention may be administered in an amount from about 4to 2000 mg in a single dose or in the form of individual doses from 1 to4 times per day, preferably 4 to 200 mg in divided dosages of 1 to 100mg, suitably 0.5 to 50 mg 2 to 4 times daily or in sustained releaseform.

The following working examples represent preferred embodiments of theinvention. Unless otherwise specified, all temperature are in degreesCentigrade (°C.).

EXAMPLE 1 [1S-[1α,2β(2S*,4S*),3β,6β]]-2,2-Dimethylbutanoic acid,[3-methyl-6-propyl-2-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]cyclohexyl]methylester A. [1S-[1α(R*),3β,7β,8β(2S*,4S*),8aβ]]-2-Methylbutanoic acid,1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexa-hydro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenylester

Pravastatin (sodium salt) (10.05 g, 22.5 mmol) was converted to thecorresponding free acid by partitioning between ethyl acetate (75 mL)and 5% KHSO₄ (75 mL). The organic phase was washed with 5% KHSO₄ (2×75mL) and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated todryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate (250 mL) and treatedwith trifluoroacetic acid (0.2 mL). After stirring at room temperatureunder argon for 18 hours, the mixture was washed with saturated NaHCO₃(3×50 mL) and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentratedto a small volume (ca 75 mL). Hexane was added to a cloud point, and theproduct allowed to crystallize at -10° C. The product was collected,washed with hexane and air-dried to give title lactone (8.723 g, 95%) aswhite crystals, mp 143°-144° C. [alpha]_(D) =+199.7° (c=0.59, CHCl₃) TLC(ethyl acetate) R_(f) =0.36.

B. [1S-[1α(R*),3β,7β,8β(2 S*,4S*),8aβ]]-2-Methylbutanoic acid,3-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)-dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7methyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenylester

To a solution of Part A lactone (3.505 g, 8.63 mmol) in drytetrahydrofuran (THF) (30 mL) at room temperature under argon was addedimidazole (0.665 g, 9.79 mmol), t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (1.38 g,9.16 mmol) and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (0.150 g, 1.23 mmol). Afterstirring at room temperature for 16 hours, additional portions ofimidazole (0.120 g, 1.76 mmol) and t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (0.260g, 1.72 mmol) were added and stirring continued for an additional 4hours. The mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate (100 mL) andwashed successively with 5% KHSO₄, saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaClsolutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude productwas purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (100 g) eluting withethyl acetate-hexane (1:1) to give title protected lactone (3.706 g,83%) as a colorless glass. TLC (ethyl acetate) R_(f) =0.56. From theearlier fractions of the chromatography was also isolated thecorresponding bis-silyl ether (0.869 g, 16%), TLC (ethyl acetate) R_(f)=0.90.

C. [1S[1α(R*),3β,4aβ,7β,8β(2S*,4S*),8aβ]-2-Methylbutanoic acid,decahydro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxy-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenylester

To a solution of Part B lactone (5.27 g, 10.1 mmol) in ethyl acetate(120 mL) was added 10% Pt-C (1.10 g) and the resulting mixturehydrogenated at 40 psi (Parr apparatus) for 7 hours. The mixture wasfiltered through Celite and evaporated to dryness. TLC (ethylacetate-hexane, 1:1, 2 developments) single product R_(f) =0.34 (R_(f)of Part B compound, 0.28).

The crude product was taken up in acetonitrile (100 mL) and treated with48% aqueous HF (1.0 mL, 27 mmol) and stirred at room temperature underargon for 30 minutes. The mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate(100 mL) and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaCl solutions,dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. Recrystallization of thecrude product from ethyl acetate gave title compound (3.028, 73%) aswhite needles, mp 156°-157° C. [alpha]_(D) =+75.9° (c=0.64, CHCl₃). Theresidue from the mother liquor was purified by flash chromatography onsilica gel (80 g) eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (4:1) to give anadditional 0.561 g of title compound (total:3.589 g, 86%) as whitecrystals after trituration with ethyl acetate-hexane. TLC (ethylacetate, 2 developments) R_(f) =0.35 (TLC of the crude product alsoshows traces of the corresponding cis-ring fused product, R_(f) =0.18and the 1,4-reduction product R_(f) =0.30).

D. [1S-[1α(R*),3β,4aα,7β,8β(3S*,5R*),8aβ]]-2-Methylbutanoic acid,8-[7-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]-3,5-dihydroxyheptyl]decahydro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-naphthalenylester

To a solution of Part C compound (2.40 g, 5.85 mmol) in dry THF (100 mL)at -78° C. (dry ice-ethanol bath) under argon was added dropwise viasyringe a solution of 1.5M diisobutylaluminum hydride in toluene (12.9mL, 19.3 mmol). After stirring at -78° C. for 30 minutes, the reactionwas quenched by dropwise addition of methanol (3 mL) followed by water(12 mL). The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature, treatedwith Celite (12 g) and Na₂ SO₄ (60 gm), stirred for 30 minutes, filteredand evaporated to a white solid. TLC (CH₃ OH--CH₂ Cl₂ ; 1:9) R_(f) =0.41(R_(f) of Part C compound, 0.47).

The crude lactol was suspended in dry THF (80 mL) and placed in an icebath. To the resulting mixture was added sodium borohydride (1.20 g,31.7 mmol) followed by methanol (20 mL) added dropwise. The mixture wasallowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour. The mixturewas again placed in an ice bath and 2N HCl added dropwise until theaqueous phase was acidic and all of the precipitate had dissolved. Themixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (4×100 mL) and the combinedextracts washed with saturated NaCl solution, dried (Na₂ SO₄) andevaporated to dryness. The crude tetraol (2.51 g, theory 2.42 g) wasused directly for the next step without further purification. TLC (CH₃OH--CH₂ Cl₂ ; 1:9) R_(f) =0.34.

To a solution of the crude tetraol in dry dimethylformamide (30 mL) atroom temperature under argon was added imidazole (0.575 g, 8.46 mmol)and t-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride (1.75 mL, 6.73 mmol). After stirringat room temperature for 16 hours, the mixture was diluted with ethylacetate (100 mL), washed with water (3×75 mL) and saturated NaClsolution, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude productwas purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (80 g) eluting withethyl acetate-hexane (2:3) to give title compound (2.749 g, 72% overallfrom Part C compound) as a colorless glass. TLC (acetone-hexane; 1:1),R_(f) =0.60 (R_(f) of tetraol, 0.18).

E. [1S-[1α(R*),3β,4aα,7β,8β(4S*,6R*),8aβ]-2-Methylbutanoic acid,8-[2-[6-[2-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]decahydro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-naphthalenylester

To a solution of Part D compound (3.20 g, 4.91 mmol) in dry acetone (100mL) at room temperature under argon was added p-toluenesulfonic acidmonohydrate (0.050 g, 0.26 mmol). After stirring at room temperature for6 hours, the mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate (75 mL) andwashed with saturated NaHCO₃ (75 mL) and saturated NaCl solutions, dried(Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified byflash chromatography on silica gel (80 g) eluting with ethylacetate-hexane (1:4 to 1:1) to give title compound (2.881 g, 85%) as acoloreless glass. TLC (ethyl acetate-hexane; 1:1) R_(f) =0.55. The laterfractions from the chromatography yielded 0.151 g of recovered Part Dcompound, R_(f) =0.14.

F. [4sR-[4a,5α(4R*,6S*),6α,8aβ]]-5-[2-[6-[2-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl-4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-6-methyl-2(1H)-naphthalenone

To a solution of Dess-Martin periodinane (2.265 g, 5.34 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) at room temperature under argon was added t-butanol (500 μL,5.30 mmol) and solution of Part E compound (2.840, 4.10 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂(15 mL). After stirring at room temperature for 1 hour, a solution ofNa₂ S₂ O₃ (4.50 g. 28.5 mmol) in 1N NaHCO₃ (45 mL) was added and themixture stirred vigorously for 15 minutes. The organic phase wasseparated, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude productwas purified by filtration through a short column of silica gel (50 g)eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:9); TLC (ethyl acetate-hexane;35:65) R_(f) =0.40 (R_(f) of Part E compound; 0.27). The purifiedproduct (theory:2.83 g) was taken up in dry toluene (50 mL), treatedwith diazobicycloundecane (675 μL, 4.51 mmol) and stirred at roomtemperature for 1 hour. The mixture was washed successively with 5%KHSO₄, saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄)and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (80 g) eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane(1:9) to give title compound (2.280 g, 94.5%) as a colorless glass. TLC(acetone-hexane; 1:9; 2 developments) R_(f) =0.38 (R_(f) of β-acyloxyketone; 0.27).

G.[4aS-[4aα,5α(4S*,6R*),6α,8aβ]]-5-[2-[6-[2-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]octahydro-3,4-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2(1H)-naphthalenone

To a solution of Part F compound (2.095 g, 3.56 mmol) in dry pyridine(20 mL) at room temperature under argon wash added a solution of OsO₄(1.00 g, 3.94 mmol) in pyridine (5 mL). After stirring at roomtemperature for 2 hours, a solution of NaHSO₃ (2.00 g, 19.2 mmol) inwater (25 mL) was added and the resulting mixture stirred at roomtemperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was then diluted with ethylacetate (100 mL) and washed with saturated NaHSO₃ (2×75 mL) andsaturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. Thecrude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (80 g)eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:2) to give title compound (2.173 g,98%) as a colorless glass (mixture of alpha and beta cis-diols). TLC(ethyl acetate-hexane; 1:1) R_(f) =0.56 (major) and 0.47 (minor) (R_(f)of Part F compound; 0.80).

H.[4aS-[4aα,7β,8β(4S*,6R*),8aβ]-8-[2-[6-2-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyloxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]octahydro-7-methyl-3H-2-benzopyran-3-one

To a solution of Part G compound (1.993 g, 3.21 mmol) in dioxane (24 mL)at room temperature under argon was added a solution of NaIO₄ (1.51 g,7.06 mmol) in water (8 mL). After stirring at room temperature for 16hours, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 mL) and washedwith 5% KHSO₄, water and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) andevaporated to dryness. TLC (ethyl acetate-toluene; 1:4) R_(f) =0.10(R_(f) of Part G compound; 0.31 and 0.26).

The crude product was taken up in dry diethyl ether (20 mL), placed inan ice bath and treated with etherial diazomethane in portions until TLCindicated consumption of the starting acid. The mixture was thenevaporated to dryness. TLC (ethyl acetate-toluene; 1:4) R_(f) =0.66.

To s solution of the above crude aldehyde in dry THF (20 mL) at 0° C.under argon was added LiAl(O-C₄ H₉)₃ H (1.23 g, 4.83 mmol) in oneportion. After stirring at 0° C. for 1 hour, the mixture was partitionedbetween ethyl acetate-5% KHSO₄ (50 mL each). The organic phase waswashed with saturated NaCl solution, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated todryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography onsilica gel (80 g) eluting with ethyl acetate-toluene (5:95) to givetitle compound (1.551 g, 81.5%) as a colorless glass. TLC (ethylacetate-toluene; 1:4) R_(f) =0.48.

I.[1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]-2-[2-[6-[2-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-(2-propenyl)cyclohexanemethanol

To a solution of Part H compound (0.485 g, 0.819 mmol) in dry toluene(8.0 mL) at -78° C. (dry ice-C₂ H₅ OH bath) under argon was addeddropwise via syringe a solution of 1.5M diisobutylaluminum hydride intoluene (0.57 mL, 0.855 mmol). After stirring at -78° C. for 30 minutes,the reaction was quenched by the addition of silica gel (3 g) followedby water (1.0 mL) and then allowed to warm to room temperature. Themixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (30 mL), filtered and evaporatedto dryness to give the crude lactol (0.490 g) as a colorless oil. TLC(ethyl acetate-toluene; 1:4) R_(f) =0.35.

To a suspension of methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (1.025 g, 2.87mmol) in dry toluene (12 mL) at 0° C. under argon was added a solutionof 1.82M potassium t-amylate (1.35 mL, 2.46 mmol) in toluene dropwisevia syringe. After stirring at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, a solution of theabove lactol (0.490 g, ca 0.819 mmol) in dry toluene (2 mL) was added inone portion. After stirring at 0° C. for 1 hour and at room temperaturefor 1.5 hours, the reaction was quenched by the addition of saturatedNH₄ Cl solution (10 mL). The organic phase was separated, washed with 5%KHSO₄ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated todryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography onsilica gel (60 g) eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:9) to give titlecompound (0.446 g, 92%) as a colorless, viscous oil. TLC (ethylacetate-toluene; 1:4) R_(f) =0.51.

J. [1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-2,2-Dimethylbutanoic acid,[2-[2-[6-[2-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methylester

To a solution of Part I compound (0.446 g, 0.753 mmol) in methanol (8.0mL) was added 10% Pd-C (0.095 g) and the resulting mixture stirred undera hydrogen atmosphere for 2 hours. The mixture was filtered throughCelite and evaporated to dryness. TLC (ethyl acetate-hexane, 3:7) singleproduct R_(f) =0.58 (R_(f) of Part I compound, 0.55).

To a solution of the above crude product in dry pyridine (4.0 mL) atroom temperature under argon was added 2,2-dimethylbutyryl chloride(0.150 g, 1.11 mmole) and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (0.020 g, 0.16mmol). After stirring at room temperature for 16 hours, the mixture wasevaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate (50mL), washed successively with 5% KHSO₄, saturated NaHCO₃ and saturatedNaCl solution, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crudeproduct was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (40 g)eluting with diethyl ether-hexane (5:95) to give title compound (0.476g, 91% overall from Part I compound) as a colorless, viscous oil. TLC(ethyl acetate-hexane; 1:4) R_(f) =0.64.

K. [1S-[1α,262 (4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-2,2-Dimethylbutanoic acid,[2-[2-[6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methyl ester

To a solution of Part J compound (0.446 g, 0.644 mmol) in dry THF (6.0mL) at room temperature under argon was added a solution of 1.0M (n-C₄H₉)₄ NF in THF (1.90 mL, 1.90 mmol). After stirring at room temperaturefor 16 hours, the mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate (30 mL),washed with 5% KHSO₄ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) andevaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (25 g) eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane(1:4) to give title compound (0.247 g, 84%) as a colorless oil. TLC(ethyl acetate-hexane; 1:4) R_(f) =0.11.

L. [1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6S*),3β,6β]]-2,2-Dimethylbutanoic acid,[2-[2-[6-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methylester

To a solution of Dess-Martin periodinane (0.265 g, 0.625 mmol) in dryCH₂ Cl₂ (6 0 mL) at room temperature under argon was added t-butanol (59μL, 0.63 mmol) and a solution of Part K compound (0.236, 0.520 mmol) inCH₂ Cl₂ (4.0 mL). After stirring at room temperature for 1 hour, asolution of Na₂ S₂ O₃ (0.690 g, 4.37 mmol) in 1N NaHCO₃ (8 mL) was addedand the mixture stirred vigorously for 10 minutes. The mixture wasdiluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL), the organic phase separated andwashed with saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. TLC (ethyl acetate-hexane; 3:7) R_(f)=0.61 (R_(f) of Part K compound; 0.30).

The crude aldehyde was immediately taken up in t-butanol (6.0 mL) and 5%NaH₂ PO₄ (2.0 mL, pH 4.5) and treated with 1.0M KMnO₄ solution (3.0 mL,3.0 mmol). After stirring at room temperature for 5 minutes, the mixturewas cooled to 0° C. (ice bath) and the excess KMnO₄ quenched withsaturated Na₂ SO₃ solution. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate(30 mL) and acidified with 10% HCl solution to pH 2. The organic phasewas separated, washed with 5% KHSO₄ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried(Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. TLC (CH₃ OH-CH₂ Cl₂ ; 5:95) R_(f)=0.11.

The crude product was taken up in dry diethyl ether (10 mL), placed inan ice bath and treated with etherial diazomethane in portions until TLCindicated consumption of the starting acid. The mixture was thenevaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (20 g) eluting with diethyl ether-hexane(1:9) to give title compound (0.192 g, 77% overall from Part K compound)as a colorless, viscous oil. TLC (CH₃ OH-CH₂ Cl₂ ; 5:95) R_(f) =0.85.

M. [1S-[1α,2β(2S*,4S*),3β,6β]-2,2-Dimethylbutanoic acid,3-methyl-6-propyl-2-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]cyclohexyl]methylester

A solution of Part L compound (0.182 g, 0.378 mmol) in a mixture of 48%aqueous HF (0.1 mL) and acetonitrile (10 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature for 5 hours. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (50mL) and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried(Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified byflash chromatography on silica gel (15 g) eluting with ethylacetate-hexane (3:7 to 1:1) to give title compound (0.152 g, 98%) as awhite solid. Trituration of the product with hexane gave pure titlecompound (0.148 g, 95%) as white crystals, mp 128°-129.5° C. [alpha]_(D)=+34.9° (c=0.54, CHCl₃). TLC (ethyl acetate-hexane; 1:1) R_(f) =0.16(R_(f) of intermediate dihydroxy-ester; 0.30).

Analysis: Calculated for C₂₄ H₄₂ O₅ : C, 70.20; H, 10.31. Found: C,70.12; H, 10.25.

EXAMPLE 2[1S-[1α(βS*,δS*),2β,3α,6α]]-2-[(2,2-Dimethyl-1-oxobutoxy)methyl]-β,δ-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-propylcyclohexaneheptanoicacid, monolithium salt

To a solution of Example 1 lactone (0.145 g, 0.354 mmol) in dioxane (5.0mL) at room temperature under argon was added 0.1N LiOH solution (3.7mL, 0.37 mmol). After stirring at room temperature for 2 hours, themixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by CHP20chromatography (10 mL bed volume, 1 inch diameter column) eluting withwater followed by CH₃ OH-water (7:3). The product containing fractionswere combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up inwater, filtered and lyophilized to give title compound (0.142 g, 91%) asa fluffy white solid. [alpha]_(D) =+12.1° (c=0.54, CH₃ OH).

TLC (CH₃ OH-CH₃ OH-CH₂ Cl₂ ; 1:1:20) R_(f) =0.46.

Analysis: Calculated for C₂₄ H₄₃ O₆ Li 0.5 H₂ O: C, 65.00; H, 10.00.Found: C, 64.84; H, 10.19.

EXAMPLE 3[1S-[1α(βS*,δS*),2β,3α,6α]]-2-[[(2,2-Dimethyl-1oxobutyl)amino]methyl]-β,δ-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3propylcyclohexaneheptanoicacid, monolithium salt A.[1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-2-[2-[6-[2-[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexanemethanol

To a solution of Example 1 Part I olefin (0.420 g, 0.709 mmol) inmethanol (8.0 mL) was added 10% Pd-C (0.085 g) and the resulting mixturestirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 2 hours. The mixture wasfiltered through Celite and evaporated to dryness to give title compound(0.414 g, 98%) as a colorless oil. TLC (ethyl acetate (EtOAc)-hexane,3:7) single product R_(f) =0.58 (R_(f) of starting olefin, 0.55).

B.[1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-[[2-[2-[6-2-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methyl]azide

To a solution of Part A compound (0.357 g, 0.601 mmol) in dry methylenechloride (10 mL) at 0° C. (ice bath) under argon was added triethylamine(300 μL, 2.17 mmol) followed by methanesulfonyl chloride (70 μL, 0.90mmol) added dropwise via microliter syringe. After stirring at 0° C. for30 minutes, the mixture was diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), washedsuccessively with 5% KHSO₄, saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaClsolutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness to give the crudemesylate (0.524 g) as a colorless, viscous oil. TLC (EtOAc-toluene;15:85) R_(f) =0.67 (R_(f) of Part A compound, 0.57).

To a solution of the above crude mesylate product in dryN,N-dimethylformamide (6 mL) was added sodium azide (0.200 g, 3.08 mmol)and the resulting mixture heated at 50° C. (bath temperature) for 4hours. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (75 mL), washed with water(3×40 mL) and saturated NaCl solution, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated todryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography onsilica gel (40 g) eluting with diethyl ether-hexane (5:95) to give titleazide (0.340 g, 91% overall from Part A compound as a colorless, viscousoil. TLC (EtOAc-hexane; 1:4) R_(f) =0.56 (R_(f) of mesylate, 0.26).

C.[1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-N-[[2-[2-[6-2-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)diphenylsilyl]oxy]ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methyl]-2,2-dimethylbutanamide

To a solution of Part B azide (0.298 g, 0.481 mmol) in a methanol (8.0mL)-ethanol (6 mL) mixture was added triethylamine (50 μL, 0.36 mmol)and 10% Pd-C (0.095 g) and the resulting mixture stirred under ahydrogen atmosphere for 3 hours. The mixture was filtered through Celiteand evaporated to dryness to give the crude amine as a colorless glass.TLC (CH₃ OH-CH₂ Cl₂, 5:95) major product R_(f) =0.19.

To a solution of the above crude product in dry pyridine (8.0 mL)-THF (4mL) at room temperature under argon was added 2,2-dimethylbutyrylchloride (0.130 g, 0.966 mmole) and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (0.020g, 0.16 mmol). After stirring at room temperature for 2 hours, themixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up in EtOAc (50mL), washed successively with 5% KHSO₄, saturated NaHCO₃ and saturatedNaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crudeproduct was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (20 g)eluting with EtOAc-hexane (1:9) to give title amide (0.253 g, 76%overall from Part B compound) as a colorless, viscous oil. TLC(EtOAc-hexane; 1:4) R_(f) =0.43.

D.1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-N-[[2-[2-[6-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methyl]-2,2-dimethylbutanamide

To a solution of Part C amide (0.283 g, 0.644 mmol) in drytetrahydrofuran (THF) (4.0 mL) at room temperature under argon was addeda solution of 1.0M (n-C₄ H₉)₄ NF in THF (1.20 mL, 1.20 mmol). Afterstirring at room temperature for 2 hours, the mixture was then dilutedwith EtOAc (30 mL), washed with 5% KHSO₄ and saturated NaCl solutions,dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product waspurified by flash chromatography on silica gel (20 g) eluting withEtOAc-hexane (2:3) to give title amide-alcohol (0.147 g, 79%) as acolorless oil. TLC (EtOAc-hexane; 3:7) R_(f) =0.13.

E.[1S-[1α,2β(4S*,6R*),3β,6β]]-N-[[2-[2-6-(2-Methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]ethyl]-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methyl]-2,2-dimethylbutanamide

To a solution of Dess-Martin periodinane (0.165 g, 0.389 mmol) in dryCH₂ Cl₂ (3.0 mL) at room temperature under argon was added t-butanol (37μL, 0.39 mmol) and a solution of Part D amidoalcohol (0.147, 0.325 mmol)in CH₂ Cl₂ (4.0 mL). After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes,a solution of Na₂ S₂ O₃ (0.430 g, 2.72 mmol) in 1N NaHCO₃ (5 mL) wasadded and the mixture stirred vigorously for 5 minutes. The mixture wasdiluted with EtOAc (30 mL), the organic phase separated and washed withsaturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried (Na₂ SO₄) andevaporated to dryness. TLC (EtOAc-hexane; 3:7) R_(f) =0.43.

The so-formed crude aldehyde was immediately taken up in t-butanol (3.7mL) and 5% NaH₂ PO₄ (1.25 mL, pH 4.5) and treated with 1.0M KMnO₄solution (1.85 mL, 1.85 mmol). After stirring at room temperature for 5minutes, the mixture was cooled to 0° C. (ice bath) and the excess KMnO₄quenched with saturated Na₂ SO₃ solution. The mixture was diluted withEtOAc (30 mL) and acidified with 1N HCl solution to pH 2. The organicphase was separated, washed with 5% KHSO₄ and saturated NaCl solutions,dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. TLC(CH₃ OH-CH₂ Cl₂ ; 5:95)R_(f) =0.25.

The crude product was taken up in dry diethyl ether (10 mL), placed inan ice bath and treated with etherial diazomethane in portions until TLCindicated consumption of the starting acid. The mixture was thenevaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (15 g) eluting with EtOAc-hexane (1:4) togive title ester (0.121 g, 78% overall from Part D compound) as acolorless, viscous oil. TLC (EtOAc-hexane; 2:3) R_(f) =0.41.

F.[1S-[1α,2β(2S*,4S*),3β,6β]]-N-[[2-[2-(Tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl-3-methyl-6-propylcyclohexyl]methyl]-2,2-dimethylbutanamide

A solution of Part E ester (0.121 g, 0.378 mmol) in a mixture of 48%aqueous HF (0.08 mL) and acetonitrile (8 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature for 5.5 hours. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (50 mL)and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ and saturated NaCl solutions, dried(Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified byflash chromatography on silica gel (15 g) eluting with EtOAc-hexane (3:2to 4:1) to give title lactone (0.094 g, 91%) as a white foam.[alpha]_(D) =+25.7° (c=0.54, CHCl₃). TLC (EtOAc-hexane; 3:2) R_(f) =0.10(R_(f) of intermediate dihydroxy-ester; 0.24).

G.[1S-[1α(βS*,δS*),2β,3α,6α]-2-[[(2,2-Dimethyl-1-oxobutyl)amino]methyl]-β,δ-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-propylcyclohexaneheptanoicacid, monolithium salt

To a solution of Part F lactone (0.089 g, 0.218 mmol) in dioxane (3.0mL) at room temperature under argon was added 0.1N LiOH solution (2.4mL, 0.24 mmol). After stirring at room temperature for 1 hour, themixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by CHP20chromatography (10 mL bed volume, 1 inch diameter column) eluting withwater followed by CH₃ OH-water (7:3). The product containing fractionswas combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up inwater, filtered and lyophilized to give title product (0.087 g, 91%) asa fluffy white solid. [alpha]_(D) =+13.8° (c=0.49, CH₃ OH). TLC (CH₃COOH-CH₃ OH-CH₂ Cl₂ ; 1:1:20) R_(f) =0.24.

The following additional compounds (Tables 1 and 2) of the invention maybe prepared following the procedures described above.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR39##                                                                     ##STR40##                                                                    R.sup.1      R.sup.3                                                                            R.sup.4      X                                              __________________________________________________________________________    H            H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            O                                              C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            O                                              p-FC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            O                                               ##STR41##   CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            O                                               ##STR42##   CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            O                                              H            CH.sub.3                                                                            ##STR43##   O                                              p-FC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                            ##STR44##   O                                              H            CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3 S   O                                              H            C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            NH                                             CH.sub.3     H                                                                                   ##STR45##   NCH.sub.3                                      (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH                                                                        CH.sub.3                                                                            ##STR46##   NH                                             C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            NH                                              ##STR47##   H    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            NCH.sub.3                                       ##STR48##   CH.sub.3                                                                            ##STR49##   NH                                             C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                            O                                               ##STR50##   CH.sub.3                                                                            ##STR51##   O                                              H            CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3     O                                              H            CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3     NC.sub.2 H.sub.5                               CH.sub.3 O   CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            O                                               ##STR52##   CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            NH                                              ##STR53##   CH.sub.3                                                                           C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                            NH                                             __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                         ##STR54##                                                                     ##STR55##                                                                    R.sup.1      R.sub.4          n      X                                        ______________________________________                                        H            C.sub.2 H.sub.5  1      O                                        C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            C.sub.2 H.sub.3  3      O                                        p-FC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                         CH.sub.3 S       2      O                                                      ##STR56##       1      O                                        (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH                                                                         ##STR57##       1      O                                        H            C.sub.2 H.sub.5  2      NH                                       H            C.sub.2 H.sub.5  1      NCH.sub.3                                CH.sub.3                                                                                    ##STR58##       2      NH                                       H            CH.sub.3         3      O                                         ##STR59##   CH.sub.3         2      NH                                        ##STR60##                                                                                  ##STR61##       1      NH                                        ##STR62##   CH.sub.3 S       1      O                                        CH.sub.3 O   C.sub.2 H.sub.5  2      O                                        C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O                                                        C.sub.2 H.sub.5  3      O                                        ______________________________________                                    

What is claimed is:
 1. An intermediate of the structure ##STR63##wherein Pro represents a silyl protecting group.
 2. An intermediate ofthe structure ##STR64## wherein Pro represents a silyl protecting groupand Q is ##STR65## wherein R¹ is H, lower alkyl, aryl, lower alkoxy,heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or heterocyclic; andR² is loweralkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl; and X is O or NR⁵ wherein R⁵ is H oralkyl; wherein aryl by itself or as part of another group is amonocyclic or bicyclic aromatic group containing 6 to 10 carbons whichmay be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 of lower alkyl, halogen,CF₃, lower alkoxy, nitro, alkoxy and/or cyano; heteroaryl by itself oras part of another group is a 5- to 10-membered mono or bicyclic ringcontaining one or two heteroatoms which are N, S or O; aralkyl by itselfor as part of another group is a lower alkyl group having an arylsubstituent; heteroaralkyl by itself or as part of another group is aheteroaryl linked to an alkylene group; heterocyclic by itself or aspart of another group is a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic ringcontaining 1 or 2 heteroatoms which are N; N and O; or N and S;cycloalkyl by itself or as part of another group is a saturatedhydrocarbon containing 3 to 12 carbons which is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 of halogen, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, hydroxy,lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkanoyl, aroyl, aryl, alkylthio,alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkylsulfinyl,cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylthio and/or oxo.
 3. A new intermediate of thestructure ##STR66## wherein R¹ is H, lower alkyl, aryl, lower alkoxy,heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or heterocyclic; R² is lower alkyl,cycloalkyl or aralkyl; R^(5') is CH₂ OH or CO₂ alkyl; and X is O or NR⁵wherein R⁵ is H or alkyl, wherein aryl by itself or as part of anothergroup is a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic group containing 6 to 10carbons which may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 of loweralkyl, halogen, CF₃, lower alkoxy, nitro, alkoxy and/or cyano;heteroarylby itself or as part of another group is a 5- to 10-membered mono orbicyclic ring containing one or two heteratoms which are N, S or O;aralkyl by itself or as part of another group is a lower alkyl grouphaving an aryl substituent; heteroaralkyl by itself or as part ofanother group is a heteroaryl linked to an alkylene group; heterocyclicby itself or as part of another group is a 5- to 10-membered monocyclicor bicyclic ring containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms which are N; N and O; orN and S; cycloalkyl by itself or as part of another group is a saturatedhydrocarbon containing 3 to 12 carbons which is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1 or 2 of halogen, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, hydroxy,lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkanoyl, aroyl, aryl, alkylthio,alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkylsulfinyl,cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylthio and/or oxo.